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llNiTnD STATES PATENT @reina HENRY S. HALE, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVAIA.

SEAT. Y

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 271,062, dated January 23, 1883.

Application tiled July 28, 1882. (Model.)

Io all whom it may concern: Y

Be itknown that I, HENRY S. HALE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, .in the county ot' Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seats, of which the following is a specification, reference bef ing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Figure lis a central Vvertical section of a' seat constructed with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a front view ofthe back, the upholstering being removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line x :c of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line y y of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a rear view of the back. Fig. 6 is a front View of a modified form of seat-back, the upholstering being removed. Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line .r fc' of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section onv the line y' y' of Fig. 6.`

Fig. 9 is a perspective of a portion of the frame used in constructing a seat-bottom.

In Figs. 2, 4l, and 5 of the drawings, A rcpresents one end piece of the back-frame; A', the opposite end piece; B, the t-op, and B' the bottom. It will be seen that the end pieces, A and A', are curved or otherwise shaped so as to have the central part project outwardly, and in the construction shown in said figures thefaces t a., which lie toward the upholstering, are inclined toward the center of the seat-back longitudinally, for purposes to be hereinafter setforth. Intheconstructionshowninsaidfigures the top and bottom pieces, B and B', are curved or otherwise shaped so as to have the central part, b, ofeach projectin the direction of theupholstering, the ends b b' of each of said pieces being bent or projected forward in a similar manner-that is to say, each top and bottom piece has a centralcurve in onedirection and two oppositecurves,i12-one between each end and said central part.

C represents a hack piece for supporting a row of springs, it being secured to the top and bottom pieces at substantially the central points thereof. It is curved so as to conform substantially to the curve in the end pieces, A A'. Between this central piece, C, and the end pieces, A A', there may be other vertical back pieces, of a number suitable for the purpose required. Y

Against the face of the center back piece,

C, there are secured coiled springs D, the

larger ends or parts of the springs beingfastened to the back piece, with an interposed cord, d, and the smaller ends projecting t0- ward tlieupholstering. Theintermediate back pieces (when employed) and the end. bars are also each provided with a series of coiled springs arranged in a manner substantially similar to that just described. Over the top of the springs of each series there is arranged a metal spring-band, E, secured to each of the springs in the series by rivets, to be hereinafter specified. The end series ofspringsthat is, those supported by the end pieces, A

of the upholstering of the seat, I avoid the necessity, heretofore experienced of employing springs of various sizes, it being possible by thus constructing and arranging the back pieces to use springsD D all of the same height.

,A wearingsurface over the springsthat is, Y

between them and the upholstering-isprovided, as follows:

F F represent metal spring-bands running transverselysto the series of springs across the tops of the corresponding springs in the several series. Each of these spring-bands carries a section of the wearing-surface, which consists of a series of wooden slats, G Gr, secured to the metal springfband F, each slat lying transversely to the band. Preferably the wooden slats are contiguous to each otl1er,'ex tending in a continuous series from side to side of the seat-back. The wooden slats are connected with the spring-band in such manner as to prevent any displacement of them either longitudinally or laterally. Preferably this connection is effected by means of a strip, H, of woven or fibrous fabricsuch as canvaswhich is by preference glued to the series of slats G. Before securing the metal bands F to the tops of the series of springs each is fastened to its portion of the wearingsurface thatis, its corresponding series of wooden lslats G and strip of fabric H. These last said parts are united by meansof rivets K passingthro'ugh the metal band F the fabric H, and two or more of the wooden slats G. After being joined to this extent the wearing-surface thus produced is fastened to the tops of a cross-row of springs by means of rivets J and washers or plates J', the Washers lying under the upper ends of the coiled springs, and the rivets extending from the under side of said washers through the spring-bands E, (or flexible bands E,) the transverse spring-hands F, the webbing H, and two or more of the slats G. The bands H H, of webbing, are at their ends tacked or otherwise fastened to the end pieces, A A', of the spring-frame. The portions it' of the webbing allow an inward and outward movement of the wooden wearing-surface, and at the t same time hold the ends in proper position and prevent them from displacement.

If the strips of fabric or webbing E' E' are used over the end series of springs, instead of metal, spring-bands E, they (said strips of fabric or webbing) can be utilized to assist in properlyT steadying the ends of the Wooden wearing-surface and holding them in proper position, while at the same time allowing them suicient flexibility.

After the several sections of the wearingsurface have' been attached to the springs and the spring-frame in the manner above described, a peculiar conformation is given to the -wearing-surface as a whole by means of bands LL, running up anddown across the several sections. These bands may be made of metal or other suitable material,though Iprefer to employ strips of strong fabric or webbing,

as by means of them the desired conformation of the surface can be readily produced, sufiif cient flexibility vis provided, and the ends can he readily secured to the top and bottom pieces, B B. If desired, buckles or other adjusting devices may be situated at L for the purpose of taking up any slack that may occur while the seat is iu use. These bands L are drawn sufficiently taut to draw inward somewhat the several sections ot' the wearing-surface on vertical lines corresponding substantially with the curves b2 b2 in the top and bottom pieces ofthe seat-frame. The shape imparted to each section of' the wearing-surface is clearly shown by the sectional view in Fig. 4. When the parts are thus arranged it will be seen that there are produced two recesses extending up and down the backof the seat, whereby the seat is made to conform-to the backs of two persons. 'By inclining the faces a a' of the end pieces of the frame so that they shall be turned somewhat toward the center of the seat, the series of springs carried by said end pieces are so turned or situated as to have the pressure from the backs of the persons leaning against the seat-back bear against the end series of springs on the longitudinal lines of the springs, so that there is an easier yielding of the springs, and there is less danger of twisting or displacing the latter. rI he outer' ends of the wooden wearing-surfaces tend to swing inwardly somewhat, and this is compensated by bringing the upper ends of the springs at the ends of the frame inward, as shown.

It will be seen that the covering for the back is curved to conform to the shape of the end pieces, A A', and the intermediate back pieces, G, of the spring-sections. By using forwardly-curved pieces of this sort for the back of the spring-frame I have succeeded in mak-l ing available much more room..immediately behind the seat than has been attainable with seat-backs as heretofore constructed. This is a matter of great advantage in carseats, as it gives a greater space between the seats than has been heretofore common.

The seat-back may be mounted at the ends upon any of theordinary devices for permitting a reversing of the seat.

By having the wearing surface for the springs made in different sections I can provide the required shape to properly receive the upholstering. The lengths of the wooden slats Gr may be varied so as to make the different sections narrower'or wider, according as it may be desired to bring them closer together.

In Figs. (i, 7, and 8 I have shown a form of seat-back in which use is made ot' my improved curved back pieces and correspondin gly-curved end pieces. In this case the top and bottom pieces are not curved in the manner shown in the other figures. The springs are secured to the said back pieces in the same way as that already described, and the several series are joined together by means of crossstrips F, either of webbing ormetal, said strips being riveted to the metal spring-bands E in the way already described. In this construction the sections of the wearing-surface do not extend across the seat-back, butrun up and down, t-he parts t' t' of thestrips of webbing H being fastened to the top piece and bottom piece ot' the spring-frame. The end pieces, A A', in this case do not carry springs, as in the construction above described, the relations of the parts being such as to provide a comfortable seatback without mountingthe end springsthereon.

By arranging lthe sections of the wearingsurface vertically much of the effect can be attained which is produced by the vertical strips L in the other construction-that is to say, a yielding of the back at one end independently of the other-the sectionsin the construction shown in Figs. 6, 7, and S being so related that one will move in or out without materially affecting the adjacent ones.

The seat-sections are permanently fastened in place, and are permanently fastened to the lower canvas, M, of the upholstering by meansof rivets m m or by gluing, so that the spring- IOO IIO

sections cannot be removed without rst re` carnose e The seat-bottom (or seat proper) is constructed in a manner substantially similar to that above described for making the back, as will be readily seen by again examining Fig. 1.

In making the bottom part I arrange the frame A A B B so that it can be detacllably supported upon the stationary frame C2 C3; and in order to throw the upwardly-curved supporting-bars C farther away from the upholstering, to allow the use of longer springs, I employ comparatively broad bars B3, secured to the pieces B B of the spring-frame. Preferably I provide the connection between the parts B and'B3 and B and B3 by means of offsets B2, extending upvtardly from the parts B B. In orderto have the frame light, the parts B and B are produced by rabbeting a bar of wood, to the under side of which the part B3 is secured. This part B3 not only operates to throw the curved spring-support C down farther, but also serves to provide a fastening for the removable frame when in place on t-he stationary frame, they (said parts B3) fitting snugly between .the end rails ofsaid stationary frame. y

I do not in this case claim any invention except those 1specifically recited in the claims,

preferring to claim all other pat-entable fea tures shown or described in another application, which l have tiled as a division hereof.

What I claim isl. In a seat, a spring-section consisting` of a supporting piece or bar curved at its center toward the upliolstering, and a series ofsprings Y supported thereon, substantially as set forth.

2. In a seat, a spring-section having a supporting piece or barcurved atthe center toward the upholstering, a series ot'springs of uniform height ,secured thereto, and devicesforjoining together the ends ofthe springs,substantially as set forth. y

3. In a seal, a spring-section arranged to provide a rounded or curved wearing-surface next to the upholstering, it having a supportv ing piece or bar'cnrved at its center toward tending` over the tops of said springs, and a strip, H, of webbing or fabric, secured at its ends to theppring'frame, and at points between its ends to the metal spring-band and to the coiled springs, and arranged to hold the top of the spring-section in place, substantially as set forth. l,

5. In a seat, a spring-section arranged to provide a curved or rounded wearing-surface next to the upholstering, it having a supporting piece or bar curved at its center toward the nphols'tering, in combination with a series of coiled springs of uniform height, and a ilexible wearing-surface consisting of a. series of thin wooden slats extending across the series of springs, and fastening devices for securing said series of slats to the springs and to the curved supporting piece or bar, substantially as set forth.

6. In a seat, a spring-section having a supportingpiece or bar, a series ofsprin gs attached thereto, a wearing-surface or fabric consisting of a series of wooden slats, each arranged trailsversely to the series of coiled springs, l and means for flexibly securing said series of wood en slats to the coiled springs, in combination with a canvas or covering-piece, M, secured to the spring-frame, and means for permanently outer surface of the wooden slats, substantially as set forth.

7. In a seat-back, the combinatioin, with the spring-frame having end pieces curved attheir centers toward the upholstering, of two or more springsections, each composed of a back sup- 'portingpiece or bar curved at the center toward the upholstering, with a series of coiled springs of uniform height secured thereto, and a flexible wearing-surface secured to the outer ends of the springs, whereby a rounded or curved surface is provided for the upholstering, and whereby, also, there is produced an enlargement of room in rear of the seat-back, substantially as set forth.

8. In a seat-bacl,the combination cfa springframe, spring-sections, each having a. series of coiled springs arran gedvertically in said frame, a flexible wearingsurtace secured to the outer end or" the springs, and strips or bands L, arranged on lines between the series of springs to compress the wearing-surface, whereby a portion ofthe seat-back is curved in horizontal cross-section when in place, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination, with the spring-frame having end pieces or bars curved at their centers toward the upholsterin g, and the intermediate supporting piece or bar, C, curved in a similar manner, the series ot' coiled springs upon the end bars, respectively, the series of coiled springs supported upon the intermediate bar, the sections of flexible wearing-surface, situated transversely of the bars which support thc series of springs, and the strips or bands L, arranged respectively between the intermediate series ot' springs and the end series, and arranged to compress the Wearingi surface, whereby two recesses are formed in the wearing-surface, said recesses having curved vlines in horizontal cross-section when the back is in place, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with the back supporting pieces or bars, the coiled springs attached thereto in series, the metallic spring-bands F, secured to the tops of the springs on lines ICO IIO

8; securing said canvas or covering-piece to the I transverse to the vertical series, the sections of wearing-surface, each section consisting ot' a series of wooden slats situated transversely to the metallic spring-bands F, means for securing the wooden slats of each series to its corresponding metal springband, and the strips or bands L, arranged to bear against the outer lace of said wooden slats to compress the sections of' the wearing-surfaces, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

l1. In a seatback, two or more rows of springs extending horizontally across the seat-- back, and sections of Wearing-surface, each oonsistingofa series of wooden slats, and means for flexibly securing said series of wooden slats to a row of springs, the Wooden slats ofthe different sections being situated in different planes, whereby a rounded conformation can be provided for the wearing-surface, substantially as set forth.

12. In a seat-back having two recesses curvilinear in horizontal cross-section, the combination, with the upholstering, of a supportingbar, C, between the said recesses, and a series of coiledv springs between said bar and the npholstering, substantially as set forth.

In testimony Whereot'I aftix my'signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY S. HALE.

Witnesses:

JAS. S. BREEN, OWEN D. ROBERTS. 

